City to mark Earth Day by embarking on a cleaner and greener Johannesburg

The City of Johannesburg, in partnership with Breathe Cities, the Seriti Institute, and 33 community organisations will commemorate Earth Day by leading environmental awareness and action activities across schools as part of the Breathe Better Together project.

Aligned to this year's theme, “Our Power, Our Planet", the programme will take place across multiple schools, reaching learners directly within their everyday learning environments. Scheduled to run for about two hours during a school day, it is designed to create opportunities for learners to engage in hands-on environmental activities that promote clean air.

These will include tree planting to support greener communities, recycling demonstrations that encourage improved waste management practices, and school-based awareness sessions on air pollution and its impact on health and communities. Earth Day is celebrated on 22 April.

Communities are increasingly affected by pollution and environmental pressures. Initiatives like these play a critical role in building awareness from an early age and allow learners to actively participate in protecting the environment.

“We see the impact of environmental challenges such as poor air quality most clearly at community level," says Nokuthula Dubazane from Breathe Cities. “Working alongside organisations like Seriti Institute and local partners allows us to support solutions that are practical, relevant, and driven by communities.

“This Earth Day is about giving young people (the leaders of tomorrow) the agency to act about environmental issues that they see on a daily basis," says Harmony Khoza, Seriti Institute's Community Response Manager.

“By working with schools and community-based organisations, we are encouraging young people to take part in meaningful actions that contribute to cleaner and healthier environments where they live."

This initiative builds on the growing momentum of community-led air quality awareness efforts driven through the Breathe Better Together project, where over 60 awareness and clean-up campaigns have already been implemented across Johannesburg. These initiatives have focused on air pollution, waste management, and environmental health, reflecting the lived realities of communities across the city.

“On this Earth Day, under the theme 'Our Power, Our Planet', the City of Johannesburg reaffirms its commitment to improving air quality through decisive action and strong community partnerships. Initiatives led by our partners highlight the power of collective local action in reducing pollution and protecting public health. Together, we must accelerate efforts to monitor emissions, enforce compliance, and promote cleaner practices to ensure a healthier, greener Johannesburg for all," says Musa Mahlatji, the Deputy Director Air Quality Management,

Participating schools include Thabo Secondary School in Naledi, Emadlelweni Primary School in Dlamini, Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra, Leap Science and Maths School in Diepsloot, Noordgesig Secondary School, and several others across the city.

Written by Dudu Lushaba
20/04/2026

To stay informed about the latest developments in the City, connect with us on:
X: @CityofJoburgZA
Facebook: City of Joburg
Instagram: @CityofJoburg
TikTok: @CityofJoburg
Threads: @cityofjoburg
LinkedIn: City of Johannesburg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CityOfJoburgZA/videos